I recently bought some CNMG120404 inserts to try and was originally planning to make some holders. However I found some for a reasonable price on www.shop-apt.co.uk. 16mm shank CNMG insert holder

To make these work in my AXA tool post with the compound mod I just needed to remove 3mm from the base of the holder. This was quite easy to do in my mill (I used a 30mm carbide insert face mill).

Definitely pleased with the result. Now just to modify the left hand tool I also purchased and then make a tool to use the obtuse cutting edges (the ones I have seen on the net have too large a shank size and are too costly for me).

This has been a great success. Also having the three holes for the toolpost is good for rigidity when using a parting tool (you can move the tool within the footprint of the compound to avoid tilting).

However there is a fair old amount of backlash due to using the original leadscrew/mount. Either a shim is required or even better would be a change to using dual bearings in a similar way that I did on the C2A mod.

Here is a wireframe model of what I intend to allow the use of an unmodified AXA size toolpost. It is lowered in both the top slide thickness, the clamp plate thickness and the rotating section is let into the clamp section. The intention is to use the original leadscrew.

Sieg SC4 modified compound

I have decided to upgrade my lathe from the C2A to the SC4.

It is a much sturdier machine in all aspects and I look forward to actually using it. But it will take a bit of work to actually get it into a position to use… And then there will be the mods to be able to use my AXA toolpost…